NOGALES, Ariz. — A man was charged for possession with intent to distribute cocaine on Oct. 5. The man drove a truck that held approximately 1,294 pounds of cocaine and applied for admission into the United States from Mexico, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Arizona.
The man, identified as Oswaldo Lopexz-Escobar, was driving the semi-truck on Oct. 4, 2023 and applied for admission to the U.S. from Mexico. During a customs inspection of the vehicle, Customs and Border Protection Officers found 155 packages of cocaine concealed in the floor of the trailer, authorities said.
The packages of cocaine weighed approximately 1,294 pounds and had an estimated value of $10.7 to $12.5 million, authorities said.
The conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine charge carries a maximum penalty of up to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of $10 million.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, is handling the prosecution.
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